Epilogue
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Coty
My first Valentine’s Day with Lala isn’t going how I’d hoped. I’ve never planned anything on Valentine’s Day before. I wanted to do something special for her tonight.
Surprisingly, she didn’t throw a fit when I asked her to work at the Den tonight instead of the Roadhouse. I’ve sat at the table closest to the door for church all night with her in my sight. It’s not like I can do much else anyway. I could, but getting up would have a slew of people on my head.
My parents are here tonight. Ember and Maci are helping Lala bartend. Not sure how I feel about my sister behind a bar. Jack has loudly stated his disapproval of his sister bartending. Maci simply smiles and keeps serving drinks. My youngest sister, Mary, is up at the main house with Everly. Her older brother, Logan, is watching over them tonight. The girl he liked blew him off tonight. Logan’s mad at the world right now. He’s the perfect Viking to watch over his sister and mine. He’s not a patched member, but we all know he will be someday.
I was released from the hospital this morning. Four nights there were more than enough for me. I believe Lala and Lily conspired with the hospital staff to keep me there an extra day or two.
“How’s the ribs?” Jack sits down next to me. Thankfully, Ciara Hollis kept him from being put in a cell. It’s still unclear whether he’ll be charged. Miss Hollis will fight for just probation if it happens.
“Sore.” I could lie, but he’d see through me.
Mack nods to Jack and moves to the doors to church. Worley stands behind him.
Jack glances at Lala and back at me. “You ready?”
My eyes drop to the cut draped over Worley’s left arm. “I never told her. She’s gonna be pissed.”
“That’s why it’s better to do it while you’re wounded and recovering.” Jack nods to his dad, and on cue, the music stops.
“Vikings!” Mack yells over the crowd. Everyone quietens down and gives our Prez their attention. “Lala, you wanna join us?” He motions her over.
She narrows her eyes and looks around the room. When she doesn’t move, Lily takes her hand and leads her through the kitchen to the common room. She nervously walks over to stand behind me.
“The patched members already know. Now, it’s time to make it official. A couple of weeks ago, Coty Michaels claimed Kayla Chambers as his ole’ lady.”
Lala quickly moves in front of me. I’m still not allowed out of this chair—her orders, not the doctor’s.
“You did what?”
“I claimed you.” I nod to my brothers behind her. “They agreed.”
“Two weeks, and you haven’t told me?”
“Well,” I run a hand through my hair. “I’ve kinda been busy lately.” It’s a lame excuse, but also true.
Worley hands me her property of cut. I turn it around to show her the Viking Warriors emblem Nanny designed in memory of Ariel. I point to my road name, Rodeo, on the bottom rocker. I flip it around and show her the patch with Lala on it.
Sitting up as straight as I can, I hold the cut open. “Come on, Sparky. You know you want this.”
Her eyes drop to the cut and back to mine. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve told you at least a hundred times this week that I love you. Yeah, I’m sure.”
She lowers and slides her arms through the sleeves. Mindful of my ribs and stitches on my arms and back, she leans down and wraps her arms around my neck.
“I love you, too, Coty,” she whispers.
“Vikings!” Mack shouts. “Raise your glass and celebrate Rodeo and Lala! She now has the protection and rights as an ole’ lady.”
The room erupts in shouts and cheers. When Lala tries to stand up straight, I pull her onto my lap.
“Coty, no. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“I’m not that hurt.” She knows it as well as I do. “We need to talk about some things.”
“We do,” she agrees. “But we can do that later tonight. I need to get back.”
“Nope. Parker’s here.” I point to the bar. Ember and Maci have all the help they need.
“Okay. What’s so urgent it can’t wait?”
“I don’t want to stay in your apartment. I can’t go there.” I now understand how Jack feels about returning to his house.
“Why? Trent’s in jail. He’s not getting out for a long time.”
She finally opened up and told me about her relationship with Trent. If he weren’t in jail, I’d hunt him down and give him twice the beating Jack did.
And it’s true. Trent Colby survived the beating Jack gave him. He’s been charged with three counts of assault and battery. Emily Powell is still shaken up, but medically, she’s okay. Skip was knocked unconscious with a blunt object in the parking lot. He complains of headaches, but otherwise he’s okay, too. Trent won’t name the two men who helped him, and I didn’t get a good look at them before I was knocked out. We’re sure Willis Sanford and Adam Lang were his accomplices. Since we can’t prove it, the cops aren’t taking it seriously.
I close my eyes. “I can’t go there, Sparky. Please don’t ask me to.”
“Well, I don’t want to stay in your room here.”
I don’t either. “I’m not asking you to. I have something better in mind.”
“Oh?” Now, she’s intrigued.
“Yeah. Since I now officially have an ole’ lady, I kinda need a job,” I tease.
“A job? Where?”
“My grandfather needs help on the ranch. The position comes with a two-bedroom cabin.” I gently slide my thumb across her cheek.
“Are you really sure this is what you want? I’m what you want? I mean, you got hurt because of me, and badly.”
“I finally got you. Even before I had you, I would have died for you.”
Her mouth falls open with a gasp.
“You’ve lost your mind. I love you, but your mind is so warped.”
“Sparky, the only thing on my mind is you, me, and a couple of kids.” Her eyes widen. “Someday,” I add.
“Someday,” she repeats softly.
I cup her cheek in my palm. “So, say yes, Sparky, and kiss me.”
“Yes,” she whispers just before her lips press against mine.